SR 500 S (spoked wheels)

1979 Yamaha SR 500 S (spoked wheels) Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Yamaha's classic motorcycle lineup, the 1979 Yamaha SR 500 S (spoked wheels) relies on a 499 cc (30.5 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 27 HP (19.7 kW) at 6,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 54.1 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the SR 500 S (spoked wheels) measures 174 kg (384 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.16 HP/kg (6.44 kg per horsepower). The 12-liter (3.2 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 135 km/h (84 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Yamaha archive, this model family spans 3 indexed model years from 1979 to 1981, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.